### Former NBA Stars Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson Make Headlines with Brawl in BIG3 Opener - The BIG3 league, known for featuring former NBA players, kicked off its 2025 season on June 15, 2025, in Chicago. Among the notable participants were Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson, both making their debuts in the league. The game quickly escalated into chaos when the two players engaged in a physical altercation that spilled into the crowd, resulting in their ejection from the match. This incident has drawn significant media attention, highlighting the competitive spirit and intensity that often accompanies former NBA players in a new league setting [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/former-nba-stars-dwight-howard-205740734.html][https://www.blackenterprise.com/dwight-howard-lance-stephenson-brawl]. ### Breakdown of the Incident and Its Context 1. **Game Overview**: The match featured the Los Angeles Riot against the Miami 305, with Miami ultimately winning 48-44. The brawl occurred midway through the game, marking a tumultuous start to the season [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/dwight-howard-lance-stephenson-ejected-011827367.html]. 2. **Details of the Brawl**: The altercation began with verbal exchanges that escalated when Howard pushed Stephenson, who then attempted to tackle him. The two players grappled on the ground, leading to their ejection by officials [https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/sport/nba/article-14813333/nba-dwight-howard-lance-stephenson-fight-big3.html][https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/nba/news/dwight-howard-lance-stephenson-fight-nba-big-3/cafee7952786ae1cdc2cf25b]. 3. **Reactions and Implications**: The incident has sparked discussions about player conduct in the BIG3 league, which aims to provide a competitive yet entertaining environment for former NBA stars. The league, founded by Ice Cube, has been a platform for nostalgia and competitive basketball since its inception in 2017 [https://abc27.com/sports/sports-illustrated/9717f3aa/dwight-howard-lance-stephenson-ejected-after-brawling-during-their-big3-debuts]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Game Statistics**: - Final Score: Miami 305 - 48, Los Angeles Riot - 44 - Players Involved: Dwight Howard (LA Riot), Lance Stephenson (Miami 305) - Ejections: Both players were ejected following the brawl [https://sports.yahoo.com/m/0c95d2ab-6f21-3ddc-808c-d0436d14c820/ex-warriors-guard-gets-into.html][https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/dwight_howard_ejected_from_big3_debut_for_fight_with_lance_stephenson/s1_127_42329313]. ### Conclusion: A Tumultuous Start to the BIG3 Season - **Key Findings**: 1. The brawl between Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson overshadowed the opening game of the BIG3 season, highlighting the intense competitive nature of the league. 2. Both players were ejected, which raises questions about player conduct and the league's ability to manage conflicts on the court. 3. The incident has garnered significant media coverage, potentially impacting the league's reputation and viewership moving forward. - The BIG3 continues to attract attention, but incidents like this may challenge its image as a fun and competitive league for former stars [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/dwight-howard-lance-stephenson-involved-085712239.html][https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-watch-dwight-howard-lance-stephenson-explode-furious-big-3-brawl-ex-nba-veterans-get-ejected].